THE ZEITGEISTY REPORT » Ultimate Album Sides

Ultimate Album Side: Side One, “John, the Wolf King of LA” by John Phillips

The Zeitgeisty Report (c) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:16:35 +0000

John Phillips was one of the greatest songwriters of the 60s… He was the brains behind the classic group the Mamas and the Papas and wrote many of their hits.. He was also a very tortured and troubled man… eventually dying of liver failure (his SECOND liver) from alcholism.. After the Mamas and the Papas broke up (they had a very brief run only about 2 years yet they yielded so many lasting hits) his solo career never really took off.. But he DID release this gem.. This is a beautiful album.. great songs full of lazy melodies that belie very dark lyrics.. disturbing even.. listen to them closely.. Eben the album’s title is a bit creepy.. The phrase Wolf King is very evocative.. This album typifies the “Laurel Canyon’ sound of the early 70s.. although this is actually the “Topanga Canyon”… the players on this album are some of the greatest studio players that ever lived… the great Hal Blaine on percussion (check out those cymbals on Malibu People), Larry Knetchel on keyboards, Darlene Love on vocals.. James Burton on guitar.. on an on.. The music is absolutely gorgeous on this album…The first side makes you feel like your walking on the beach on a brisk early fall day.. in California.. in 1970… with a joint in your hand… beautiful..

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Side One

“April Anne” (Phillips) – 3:22
“Topanga Canyon” (Phillips) – 3:53
“Malibu People” (Phillips) – 3:41
“Someone’s Sleeping” (Phillips) – 2:46
“Drum” (Phillips) – 3:36

Produced by Lou Adler
Released 1970
Dunhill Records

Introducing…. Ultimate ALBUM SIDES!!

The Zeitgeisty Report (c) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 06:55:32 +0000

We at the Z are proud to present to you dear readers a new weekly feature…. Ultimate Album Sides!

Each week, we will be spotlighting a particular side of an album culled from our vast LP archives.

Long live vinyl and away we go!!

We’d like to begin with Side Four of the album ”Self Portrait” by Bob Dylan.

This is one of the most misunderstood albums of all time. It was literally REVILED when it came out. It was seen as a huge “FUCK HUGH” to the legions of fans who had declared him the “Voice of his Generation”. It’s ramshackle quality was looked upon as messy.. its playfulness and humour was seen as unserious for their God of Music.. What it is is fucking GENIUS… This album is all over the place and weird and strange and wonderful and thats what makes it so unique… He was in his full “Egg Drop” voice.. totally going for the classic country feel that he introduced in the brilliant “Nashville Skyline”… This album bends and whoops and smiles and sings with Montavani strings… I choose side four because of the monumental “la de dee” instrumental ‘Wigwam’ but I could have chosen ANY of the sides.. The acoustic guitar sound on this album is incomparable… Self Portrait is as good as any of his classic albums..

Side Four

“Take a Message to Mary” (Felice Bryant/Boudleaux Bryant) – 2:46
“It Hurts Me Too” (Trad. Arr. Dylan) – 3:15
“Minstrel Boy” (Dylan) – 3:32
“She Belongs to Me” (Dylan) – 2:43
“Wigwam” (Dylan) – 3:09
“Alberta #2″ (Trad. Arr. Dylan) – 3:12

Produced by Bob Johnston
Released 1970
Columbia Records